The Hard Way up Club: Charity Auction

The Team

Gianni Carbone UIAGM
We met Gianni, one of our guides for the Haute Route, in Courmayeur on the BBCap ski trip in January 2008 and skied with him for 4 days. He’s a great character as well as guide, ski instructor and mountaineer of great experience. He has some nice expressions which you’ll have to ask about – not repeatable by public transmission. (“Snow, she is like a woman, ….” “Don’t **** on the mountain, ….”)
Gianni also enjoys lunch.

Philip Pascall
I’ve occasionally thought about doing the Haute Route but decided it would use up too much valuable downhill time. But once we started talking about it, the challenge became irresistible. It is with some trepidation, thinking of the long climbs carrying a heavy pack and the degree of fitness required that I take it on. The thought of the lack of creature comforts and sleeping at close quarters with a lot of other smelly people in the huts is not all that appealing either – but perhaps it won’t be worse than five days non-stop on a boat!

Ion Appuhamy
During previous climbing trips to the Alps over the last 17 years I have often felt, whilst breaking trail on foot through knee deep snow, that travelling on skis would be far more efficient and stylish! But I've always had doubts whether I would be a good enough skier to carry a heavy rucksack and at the same time cope with the ever changing snow conditions encountered when off piste skiing in the mountains. Well there's nothing like throwing yourself in the deep end, particularly in support of a good cause. We'll all have to dig deep to pull this off and every pound that is pledged will help to motivate us. Please give generously for NCH. I wonder if I'll be able to climb the odd mountain along the way .....

Gary Best
I am not looking forward to this. You know when you are on the chair lift and you look down to see someone walking uphill on skis and you think “why on earth”, well that’s always been my reaction too. Add to that 5 nights spent in isolated huts without any entertainment and you understand my apprehension. But I rarely do anything for charity and the match funding by Balfour Beatty together with the 28% gift aid tax break (£20 sponsorship becomes £51) is superb value for NCH. Plus I was persuaded by Chris Arthur that we needed some northern representation, Chris later withdrew after researching the route I mean injuring his back.

Cyril Gatinot
Although I’ve grown up in the “other” French mountains (the Pyrenees), I always had an appeal for the majestic treks of the Chamonix’ region, and on the top of all, the Haute Route is surely the most impressive one. When Philip came up with the idea a few months ago, I did not hesitate long! Completing the Haute Route while raising some money for NCH is definitely a challenge that worth sweating for! En route…

Rachel Martin
I was delighted to be asked by Philip to join the BBCap team who were planning to do the Haute Route for charity, I sort of know what I am letting myself in for as I have done the Tour du Mont Blanc on foot, which was 8 days of walking up and down hill, carrying a heavy pack! However, spending six days on skis, with even more unpredictable weather, is another story! I have heard that only 60% of people complete the Haute Route, as weather and a number of other factors can bring the trip to an early end, but we will do our very best…..

Sean McLachlan
Having experience backcountry skiing back in Canada I understand the challenge of climbing up through the mountains negotiating varied landscapes covered in snow and ice. With only 50% who start this journey finishing, the Haute Route is renowned around the world for its physical and mental challenge which to me epitomises the spirit of the NCH. The Hard Way Up Club is committed to achieving success, even if Cyril has to carry each one of us the entire way. We look forward to your support in raising enough cash to fill one of our loaded rucksacks for NCH.

Stewart Orrell
This sounds like great fun to me and too good an opportunity to miss. I love the fact that there are enough fit and crazy people in the company to make this kind of adventure possible. I’m told there’s more uphill skiing than downhill, so hopefully I will survive (those who have seen me pointing downwards on skis will know what I mean) and at the same time, raise some money for a very good cause.

Monday, 7 April 2008

Charity Auction

We have organised an evening of alpine merriment, inlcuding a charity auction to raise money for NCH, the children's charity.

The Auction will take place on Tuesday 8th April at Bar Blanca at the Jewel, Covent Garden.

http://www.jewelbarlondon.co.uk/
Complimentary drinks and Canapés: From 6:30pm, Auction and cash bar to follow.

Auction lots will comprise a fantastic range of unique items and experiences from deep sea fishing, first class travel tickets, a luxury weekend on the coast of Wales and many more!

We are currently taking email/telephone bids for all lots. Bidding will close at 12.00 noon on Tuesday 8th April.

Please email your maximum bid to Linh.Lam@bbcap.co.uk

Telephone biddings, please call
Philip Pascall - 07711023919
Ion Appuhamy - 07730822035
Sean McLachlan - 07855809912

Auction Lots

Lot 1:Sea Fishing
A great day of fishing on the Solent coast. The day includes lunch, drinks and fishing instructions. Starting price £50

Lot 2: Flying Day
A once in a lifetime opportunity to enjoy a flying experience in the private plane of John Spooner, the MD of Exeter Airport. John is a very experienced pilot and his plane is a superb racing machine. Taking off from the Exeter airport, John will get you aboard and will let you take control for a spectacular flight along the Devon and Cornish coastline.
Also included is first class rail ticket to Exeter and lunch at very nice venue in Exeter. You can even have a tour of the airport if you wish. The plane will also take another person, so if you want to bring your friend along at your expense, you can. The flight will be free! The date for this once in a lifetime experience is to be agreed between the parties and to take into account the weather forecast (he doesn’t fly in the fog! Starting price £150

Lot 3: East Coast Line Two 1st class rail tickets
First class return train ticket for 2 on the east coast line including restaurant meal London to York, Newcastle (pictured),Edinburgh, Aberdeen etc Can be used anytime and can normally get the train time you want if booked in advance. Starting Price £100

Lot 4: Virgin 1st class rail pass
First class weekends pass to travel on virgin rail (Friday to Sunday) for a year. Starting price £100

Lot 5: Sailing Day - RS200
The chance to gain some sailing skills, to relax and have a great time on the waves. Feel controlling on a ocean going yacht, with the wind in your hair and billowing white sails powering you along. Also includes lunch and tea break at the sailing Club. No extra charge for swimming! Starting price £70

Lot 6: Champagne magnum Brut Imperial Moet & Chandon 1990 Vintage, 1500ml. Starting price £100

Lot 7: Wales Weekend - 3 Pen Cei Guest House
A 2 night stay at a luxury 5 star boutique guest house on the beautiful coast of Wales. Located on the harbour front in Aberaeron the guest house is ideally situated close to breathtaking beaches, river valleys, woods and mountains. A perfect luxury base for exploring the rugged Welsh coast and countryside or for just getting away from it all.
Aberaeron is also home to fine dining and local specialties including the award winning Harbourmaster Restauranthttp://www.pen-cei-guest-house.co.uk/ Starting price £125

Lot 8: Swiss army knife
Genuine Victorinox – “the Hunter” is a handy all purpose friend, which includes a knife, can opener, corkscrew and saw amongst other useful tools. The retail value is £32. Starting price £30

Lot 9: French wines
Three bottles of 2003 Chardonnay and three bottles of 2004 Merlot, sourced by Stewart Orrell during his last summer holiday in France. Stewart highly recommends after finishing two bottles sitting in the sun overlooking the Charentais countryside. Starting price £30

Lot 10: Canadian ice wine
A bottle of 2002 Inniskillin Vidal icewine. A specialty dessert wine from grapes harvested in the early Canadian winter. Grapes are naturally frozen on the vine and picked when the temperature drops below -10°C. Starting price £25

Lot 11: Fine reserve port
Fonseca Bin No.27 from Portugal. Starting price £15

Lot 12: Enthusiast wine tasting night
A wine tasting evening for 10 at your offices presented by Balfour Beatty Capital wine enthusiast Nigel Lelew. Wines and cheese included. Starting price £150

Lot 13: Mountain bike weekend in the Peak District
For up to 2 people, a fantastic weekend in and around the Peak District with access to a stunning scenery and a wide range of mountain biking trails for all abilities.
Includes two days guided cycling, one in Dark Peak, one in White Peak and your guide is none other than Chris Whitehead of Balfour Beatty Capital. Distances, routes and cafe stops will be tailored to personal tasteEvening meal on Saturday and overnight stay if required in Sheffield. Starting price £125

Lot 14: Half a case (3 bottles) of Old Pulteney
Courtesy of of Britannia Corporate Events
12 year old single malt whisky. Starting price £75

Lot 15: A Henri Lloyd TP1 Breeze jacket
Courtesy of Britannia Corporate Events
Carbon colour and size large. Starting price £65

Lot 16: Spa evening at the Sanctury
Entitles the winner to an evening at the Sanctuary including supper and a treatment of your choice. Starting price £100

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The Challenge

The Route
The Haute Route is arguably the most famous ski mountaineering tour in the world, passing some of the highest and most dramatic peaks of the Alps from Mont Blanc in the west to the Matterhorn in the east. Established by members of the Alpine Club in the 1850's, the route was first traversed on skis in 1911. Skiers stay in high mountain huts, mostly above 3,000 metres. Each day starts early , sometimes before dawn, in order to cover the substantial distances in the best snow conditions and to mitigate avalanche risk. The route crosses numerous cols, takes in the odd peak and follows some of the major glaciers in the Alps. With up to 6 hours climbing per day carrying heavy packs at altitude, it is an arduous and serious undertaking. The equipment needed includes ice axe, crampons, skins (for walking uphill on skis), harness (in case of falling into a crevasse), and shovel, probe and transceiver (for avalanche rescue).

Our plan, day by day
Day 1 Sunday 13 April
Telepherique from Argentière to Grand Montet. Ski downhill and short walk uphill to Argentière Hut (2,771metres). 1½ to 2 hours (short day for acclimatisation).

Day 2 Monday 14th
Over the Col du Chardonnet 2 ½ hours; Fenetre de Saleina 1½ h; total day of 6 to 7 hours with 961 metres of ascent. A strenuous day involving steep climbing, several changes from skiing to skinning and, possibly, some abseiling. Night in Trient Hut (3,170 metres).

Day 3 Tuesday 15th
Col des Escandies, Val d'Arpette, Champex. A magnificent descent if the conditions are good. Transfer to Verbier by road and lift. Ascend to the Mont Fort Hut to stop overnight.

Day 4 Wednesday 16th
Over Col de Chaux and Rosablanche 3,336 m and up to the Dix Hut. 8 to 10 hours with 1,225 metres of ascent. This section traverses known avalanche territory.

Day 5 Thursday 17th
Over the Pigne d'Arolla 3,796 m to Vignettes Hut; 5 to 6 hours climbing, 868 metres of ascent. A magnificent ski mountaineering day and one of the best stages on the route.

Day 6 Friday 18th
From the Vignettes Hut, over Col Mont Brulè and Col Valpelline, then a long descent under the north face of the Matterhorn to Zermatt. A very long day of 8 to 10 hours regarded as the highlight of the tour, 24km long crossing four cols and seven glaciers. Arrive in Zermatt exhausted but hopefully elated. The party begins.......

Why we're doing it!

Last summer, Ion asked Philip what the BBCap off-piste skiers could do to match the recent accomplishment of a number of our colleagues who had recently completed the Three Peaks Race (Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon) in well under 24 hours. Philip’s first thought was the Luttman Johnson race, a fun event run in Zermatt by the Ski Club of Great Britain each year. (The object of the race is to spend as long as possible in specified mountain restaurants spread around the resort’s extensive ski areas, skiing as fast as possible between them). Ion felt a more adventurous challenge was needed and, having a bias towards mountaineering, wondered if tackling the Haute Route would be a suitable target.

Hence was born the idea, which has now become a firm commitment. The guides, huts and flights are booked, we have bought or arranged to hire the specialist equipment, and some of us have tried getting everything into our rucksacks. Some of the party are very good skiers (Philip and Sean), one is an experienced Alpiniste (Ion) and two are extremely fit (Sean and Stewart are competing in the Ironman France endurance triathlon in Nice in June); the others are trying to get to the gym at least occasionally.

This is not a venture to be undertaken lightly! Please think of us when we are climbing steadily uphill for hour after hour, stuck in blizzards, abseiling down frozen couloirs, sleeping (or trying to – ear plugs are on the kit list) cheek by jowl in the mountain huts and seeing double with altitude sickness.

The Hard Way up Club